Would Ozzie manage the Cubs?

Joe Cowley:

“I never be in Wrigley Field [as a manager],” Guillen insisted. “I don’t give a [crap]. I can’t I say I don’t like Wrigley Field? Why can’t I express myself? It’s like I don’t like to eat chicken. Why I should I have to like Wrigley Field. Whoever gets upset about that? [Bleep] them. I don’t like Wrigley Field. What’s wrong with that? I don’t say I don’t like the Cubs. Just make it clear. I don’t say I don’t like the Cubs. I don’t say I don’t like the Cubs’ organization. I just hate Wrigley Field. I wish I could do something about it. The Governor of Chicago, please, build another one. I don’t know why people make such a big deal that I don’t like Wrigley field. I don’t work for Wrigley Field. [bleep] it.

“First of all, to manage the Cubs, Jerry Reinsdorf has to be dead. Second, to go to that job, … I’m not going to manage at Wrigley Field. I might manage the Cubs. No, not Wrigley Field. I hate that [bleepin'] place.

“Now I hate a couple guys working for the [bleepin] Cubs. And they have nothing to do with the front office.”

Tyler Flowers Q & A

JJ Stankevitz has an interview with T-Flo:

JS: What have your coaches said about your defense?

TF: Chicago’s expressed that they’re real pleased. Obviously, there’s certain things that me and every catcher in Double-A can improve. There’s definitely stuff on my agenda to take note of and try to improve and be more consistent with. They made it very clear that I’m going to be a catcher, and I was definitely pumped to hear that. They weren’t just excited about my bat, but they were excited about me behind the plate too. That was important to me. Working on being consistent with my throwing and footwork. I feel like receiving’s come a long way, blocking balls has come a long way. Calling a game, our pitching coach has helped me out tremendously, especially explaining the staff to me, explaining what their put-away pitch is, going back to their tendencies how to get them to of it. It’s been pretty good.

Tyler’s tearing the cover of the ball to the tune of .292/.439/.532. He’s hitting .354/.453/.684 in June (.479 BABIP for June though).

11 Birmingham Barons at the SL All-Star Game

The 11 players are: Catcher Tyler Flowers, 1B Brandon Allen, 2B C.J. Retherford, 3B Dayan Viciedo, OF Stefan Gartrell, OF David Cook and pitchers John Ely, Fernando Hernandez, Jhonny Nunez, Brian Omogrosso and Lucas Harrell. Barons manager Ever Magallanes will coach the south team.

Sox to play Cubs September 3 at Wrigley Field

Sun-Times:

The Cubs and White Sox will play one more installment of the Crosstown Classic [Thursday] Sept. 3 to make up for the June 16 game that was postponed due to rain.

The Cubs announced today that all tickets for that game will be honored at the gates for the Sept. 3 game, which is scheduled for a 1:20 start. There is no need for fans to exchange tickets.

The game will be broadcast by WGN.

Birmingham Barons best team in the minors

The Barons’ .671 winning percentage (51W-25L) is the best in the minor leagues (h/t Baseball America). The Barons are the Sox AA affiliate.